After being forced to resign from office by his country’s military leaders over the weekend, Bolivian President Evo Morales and other members of his administration also came under direct physical attack by US-backed right-wing ‘opposition’ mobs, including threats to their families.
As a result, Morales was forced to flee his home and fly to Mexico, where he has been offered asylum by the administration of Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
Muy agradecido con el hermano Manuel López Obrador y el gobierno y pueblo de México por salvarme la vida. Llegamos sanos y salvos junto a nuestros hermanos Álvaro y Gabriela. Los golpistas ofrecieron $us 50 mil a un miembro de seguridad para que me entregue antes de mi renuncia. pic.twitter.com/cOGe2Ztgcz
— Evo Morales Ayma (@evoespueblo) November 12, 2019
According to Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard, the Obrador government sent an officially marked Mexican diplomatic jet plane to Bolivia to collect Morales. While making a refueling stop in Peru, the plane was denied entry to the country’s airspace, forcing the pilot to land in neighboring Paraguay for refueling. Oddly, the plane had been allowed to refuel in Peru during its outbound journey en route to Bolivia.
Based on Washington’s well-documented history of interfering with Morales fights, it is very likely that the Peruvians were ordered by the Trump Administration to deny access to the Mexican aircraft.
Morales tweeted his regret in being forced out of his country, but vowed to fight on for his people and return again with “a renewed strength and energy”.
Hermanas y hermanos, parto rumbo a México, agradecido por el desprendimiento del gobierno de ese pueblo hermano que nos brindó asilo para cuidar nuestra vida. Me duele abandonar el país por razones políticas, pero siempre estaré pendiente. Pronto volveré con más fuerza y energía.
— Evo Morales Ayma (@evoespueblo) November 12, 2019
Back in Bolivia, new clashes have ensued between the new military junta and supporters of Morales. Numerous injuries have been reported as pro-Morales demonstrators are confronted by US-backed right-wing opposition crowds.
Morales also tweeted out an image described by him as “the first night after leaving the presidency, forced out in a coup by Mesa (political rival) and Camacho (right-wing opposition leader) who were backed by police.”
Así fue mi primera noche después de dejar la presidencia forzado por el golpe de Mesa y Camacho con ayuda de la Policía. Así recordé tiempos de dirigente. Muy agradecido con mis hermanos de las federaciones del Trópico de Cochabamba por brindarnos seguridad y cuidado. pic.twitter.com/O1EpDhS5Qw
— Evo Morales Ayma (@evoespueblo) November 12, 2019
In lieu of the resignations of President Morales and his top three deputies – Adriana Salvatierra, the president of the Senate; Ruben Medinaceli, first vice president of the chamber and Victor Borda, president of the Chamber of Deputies – the Bolivian opposition lawmaker and the deputy vice president of the Senate, Jeanine Anez, has now declared herself as interim president, thus assuming the role of the presidency until a new round of elections are held. Anez is claiming she has a constitutional mandate. “That would be the constitutional succession, as established by the Constitution, given that the president of the Chamber of Deputies has also resigned,” stated Anez.
Not surprisingly, the swearing in of Anez was hailed as a victory by coup-backers in Washington DC.
However, US State Department has called on all “non-emergency” U.S. officials to leave Bolivia from Tuesday, citing “ongoing political instability” as more clashes broke out in the streets in response to Anez declaring herself interim president.
Morales denounced Anez’s move, taking to Twitter to declare that her move was “without legislative quorum, surrounded by a group of accomplices and supported by the armed military and the police who repress the people.”
Se ha consumado el golpe más artero y nefasto de la historia. Una senadora de derecha golpista se autoproclama presidenta del senado y luego presidenta interina de Bolivia sin quórum legislativo, rodeada de un grupo de cómplices y apañada por FFAA y Policía que reprimen al pueblo
— Evo Morales Ayma (@evoespueblo) November 12, 2019
President Evo Morales served three terms as President of Bolivia and was lauded internationally for dramatically raising the country’s living standards and reducing poverty through instituting sweeping social programs and aid for citizens, and posting an incredible 4% average economic growth over the last 13 years.
Although Morales won his reelection bid in October, his political rivals accused the election of voting irregularities, which was promptly followed by US-backed right-wing opposition mobs who began a campaign of violence and intimidation against Morales supporters and government officials.
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